Audi have been busy fine tuning their R8 GRAND AM race car, the German brand will have 2 vehicles in the 2012 Daytona 24 Hours race. It is based on the successful R8 LMS GT3 race car.

Audi has been busy fine tuning their R8 GRAND AM race car. The German brand will have two vehicles in the 2012 Daytona 24 Hours race. It is based on the successful R8 LMS GT3 race car, however engineers were forced to make significant changes for the Grand Touring class of the GRAND-AM Rolex Sports Car Series.

Enforced aerodynamic changes primarily to the ride height, front splitter, rear wing and rear diffusor result in a huge downforce reduction. Between 70 and 80 percent of aerodynamic grip has been lost in comparison to its GT3 sister. Furthermore, ABS and traction control systems had to be de-activated to abide to race regulations.

"We successfully tested all the modifications at Daytona," says Romolo Liebchen, Head of Customer Sport at quattro GmbH. "With Frank Stippler we developed a sound and solid set-up for our customers and also gathered valuable findings in the endurance tests. The durability of wearing parts and runs at high outside temperatures meet challenging demands. We can now provide our racing customers with concrete advice and reference values for fielding the car."

Audi have identified APR Motorsport as one of the customer teams that will operate the R8 GRAND AM at Daytona. The racing team will also enter the model into the remaining races of the 2012 season. A further 3 teams are currently in advanced negotiations which will complete the maximum of four deliveries Audi will make during 2012.